Rep. Anna Eshoo lost her bid Wednesday to use Silicon Valley’s allure to leapfrog ahead of a more senior peer and become the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s ranking Democrat.

Her caucus’s closed-door decision to give the post instead to Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., was seen as a blow to the clout of Eshoo’s personal friend and close political ally, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Pallone was supported by other prominent Democrats, including Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md.

According to several news outlets, the vote was 100-90.

“I congratulate Frank Pallone on a hard-fought campaign and congratulate Anna Eshoo for raising the issue of innovation to a level that all members appreciate,” said Pelosi, D-San Francisco. “We look forward to working with both of these members as we move forward.”

Pallone tweeted Wednesday that he was “Honored to be chosen next leader of @EnergyCommerce by my colleagues. Look forward to continuing our work on behalf of the American people.”

Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, told reporters she congratulates Pallone for winning “a spirited, respectful race.” She vowed to work closely with him to ensure the committee provides equal access to opportunity for all Americans: “We are joined at the hip in this cause, and there isn’t anything that diminishes my passion and what is at the burning core of myself to accomplish this.”

She had announced she wanted the job in early February, a few days after the current ranking member — Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles — announced he would retire this year. The committee “is key to shaping America’s future, just as my Silicon Valley congressional district is,” she said at the time.

“We have the depth and the talent to shape policies that will build a strong economy for every American, with an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to advanced research, communications, technology, health care, energy and the environment,” she had said. “It is because of this far-reaching opportunity to put America in the best position to compete globally I seek this position.”

Eshoo and Pallone both went to the House in 1993, but Pallone has served on this committee since then, while Eshoo joined in 1997. Eshoo in this term has been the Communications and Technology Subcommittee’s ranking member, while Pallone was the Health Subcommittee’s ranking member.

Carl Guardino, president and CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, said Wednesday he’s “even more proud of Anna Eshoo than ever.”

“She knows that in the innovation economy, it often requires disruption to make great gains,” he said. “Translating that mindset to an institution more focused on seniority than disruption is not always easy. But she’s going to continue to be our go-to member on Energy and Commerce, and the go-to member for innovation companies around the country. We salute her for trying.”

Asked if his business trade group will be able to work well with Pallone, Guardino replied: “We work well with everyone, and we will continue to. Our goal, and hopefully his goal as well, is to ensure that America’s innovation economy is well-heard.”